Motorists back Coventry cabbies' strike

Motorists in Coventry, where every black cab in the Uk is made, say they're backing a walkout by the city's Hackney carriage drivers.

The cabbies downed flags on Friday night and are pledging to stay 'off meter' until a dispute over spaces in ranks in the city is resolved.

"There are just too many licences in the city and not enough spaces for us all to queue up for fares." a spokesman for the city's Taxi Association said. "Our members are being forced to park on double yellow lines, just so they can get out of their vehicles and feign indifference at the prospect of getting paid to drive someone around. It's a disgrace."

Their move is being supported by regular drivers in the city.

Dave Manning, who was in the city with his children for a shopping trip, told reporters "It's much easier to get around without having to follow a black cab doing 25 miles an hour. And you don't get stuck in a jam when they try and turn their cabs around in the middle of the street at the busiest time of the day."

"To be honest, driving around without the threat of a black cab cutting you up at a moments notice is wonderful. So more power to their elbow."

The Coventry Taxi Association say they'll continue their protest until the City Council increases the number of rank spaces or their diesel runs out.

In a statement, Coventry City Council said it was aware of the dispute, but that 'it's nothing to do with me mate. Besides, I blame the buses, coming into town, parking in their spots."